Leveling instrument.



PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

H. s. WILLIAMS.

LBVBLING INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10, 1905.

ma Bnp i nnrrnn s'rATns PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY S. WILLIAMS, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE RIDGELY TRIMMER COMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, A COR- PORATION OF l/VEST VIRGINIA.

LEVELING INSTRUMENT.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, 1906.

To a/ZZ whom, it 11a/wy concern.:

Be it known that I, HARRY S. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Leveling Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

My improvement relates to a combined level and straight-edge.

My object is to construct a device which may be operated with the least amount of friction and may be quickly and easily placed in proper position and securely held there, while capable of being easily adjusted.

Figure l is a perspective view -of the level securely held to the straight-edge. Fig.` 2 is a bottom view of the level. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the holding device. Figs. 4 and 5 are views of modifications.

Like parts are represented by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

a indicates a segment semicircular in shape. This segment is formedwith rigid projections a', which, together with the bottom face of the segment, constitute the bearing-surfaces.

A tube 0,2 is pivoted on the segment, as shown in Fig. l, and may be clamped in any adjustable position by a screw a3 This tube a2 is formed with a bulb and constitutes the leveltube. The arc of the segment is graduated, as indicated in Fig. 1, and by moving the tube about its pivot the tube Will indicate the inclination of any line.

This instrument is adapted to be used articularly with a straight-edge a4, whic is usually formed with a groove 0.5. In my preferred construction the bearing-surfaces formed by the bottom face of the segment and the projections a bear upon two surfaces of the straight-edge, as indicated in Fig. 1. I have shown a spring al, Which is shown in this particular instance rigidly secured to the bottom face of the segment and projects across the two open spaces formed in said segment, and the ends of the spring-arm are curved toward the rigid projections a/ and end substantially opposite to said projections. In placing the segment upon the straightedge the spring is adapted to fit within the groove a5, the outer edges of the curved ends of the spring a,6 forming bearing-surfaces against the top edge of a flange a7, I have preferably arranged the parts so that the inner edge of the spring-arm a6 bears against the bottom of the groove, and in this way I have a very secure'fastening of the level and straight-edge, but one that is adapted to permit adjustable movement to the level with but slight amount of friction. This is ap arent from the fact that the curved ends o the spring-arm a6, together with the projections a', form secure bearing-surfaces, but the spring-arm a does not bear against the surface of the straight-edge, eXcept at the ends thereof.

The formation of the ends of the springarm, together With the arrangement of the spring-arm with reference to the straightedge, is such that the level may be readily applied to the straight-edge by lacing the rigld projections a against the ace of the straight-edge at the left side thereof, and then by placing the level downwardly the spring-arm a is readily moved within the groove a5, while the curved ends bear against the edge of the flange a7.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 I have the straight-edge formed without any groove, and the spring-arm a6 is fulcrumed to a lug as, which projects from the arc of the segment, and in this modification the rigid projections a bear against one edge of the straight-edge, While the spring-arm a bears against the opposite edge.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the spring-arm as is secured to the segment in such manner that the ends are adapted to bear against the edge of the straight-edge, while the projctions a are formed with flanges which are adapted to extend within the groove a5 and below the ilange a7.

Having thus described my invention, I claiml. In a leveling instrument, the combination with a straight-edge of a main semicircular body portion, projections extending at right an les to the plane of said body on diametrical y opposite sides thereof, a yielding yguiding-surface arranged opposite to said projections and adapted with said projections to secure said mam body portion to the straight-edge, and a bubble-arm adjustably connected to said body at the center of its arc, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

IOO

2. In a leveling instrument, a straight- 'edge having a groove, a main semicircular body portion, holding devices formed on said body portion for yieldingly engaging said groove, and a bubble tube -holding arm mounted on said main body portion at the center of its arc, substantially as and for the purpose speciiied.

3. In a leveling instrument, the combination With a straight-edge having a groove, of

a main segmental body having graduations movement of said body on said straightedge, substantially as and for the purpose specied.

4. In a leveling instrument, the combination With a straight-edge having a flange or rib With parallel sides, a main segmental body With projections at right angles to the plane of said body to engage one side of said rib,- and yielding holding devices 4to engage the opposite side of said rib, a bubble-tube-holding arm pivoted to said se mental body at the center of the segmentaI arc, and means for holding said tube-arm in different positions of adjustment.

In testimony whereof I have` hereunto set my hand this 5th day of April, A. D. 1905.

HARRY S. WILLIAMS.

Witnesses CLARA GALLAGHER, CHAs. I. WELCH. 

